ROAD SAFETY

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1936, Page 6

ROAD SAFETY

TRAFFIC RULES INSTRUCTION TEACHING URGED IN I SCHOOLS (Pei Press Association, Copyright). BLENHEIM, July 22.* “You don’t hear of many people being poisoned through had cooking, or anybd\ being killed through bad woodwork, but you do hear -thni. thousands arc being .killedC through faulty driving,” declared -Mi\;G.TC. Spence, advocating at a meeting or motorists last evening that the* Education Department should inclfide instruction in traffic regulations, aim motor driving in the school curriculum. The meeting was, lipid undey. the. auspices of the Marlbourough Automobile Association for |t lie purpose or . discussing the growing problem Diroad safety, and the measure necessary to minimise traffic accidents. J't was recognised that schools were doing a certain amount towards making the children conversant witft traffic rules, but Air Spence contended that instruction must go further. Virtually, all children now at school would be motorists when they grew up,.'and it was essential they be given a thorough grounding in the operation of motor vehicles, and the observance of regulations, competence in which was going to become more essential as time went on. Pupils were . already taught cooking, woodwork, simi- i lar accomplishments which they might not use in later life; but theie aas no instruction in driving which would certainly be useful. ! 1 was appreciated by the meting that’; youth was the time to learn; anything including motoring, .and it was resolved to .approach tire Government tbrought the South Isand Motor Union to include the subject, as outlined in the curriculum. “THIS SLAUGHTER MUST STOP” STATEMENT BY HON R. SEMPLE WELLINGTON, July 21. “Wholesale slaughter on the roads has got to stop. Since the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill was introduced early in July, there have been fortyseven deaths on the road caused by motor accidents, and the number of hit-and-run incidents has doubled. It lias got to be stopped. I am satisfied that 90 per cent of these fatalities are preventible.” ... Vy ‘That statement was’ made ' by tne Minister of Transport (the Hon. R. Semple) to-day When announcing that as soon as fclie Bill had been passed by Parliament, he intended to call to gether all interested parties to discuss the initiation of the Dominion-wide “safety-first” campaign. Mr Semple said that the figures ne had quoted fully justifieef the introduction of the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill, which was at the top of the order paper, and would be dealt with this week. The Bill would be ineffective unless there was complete l unanimity amongst all those interestf ed in the motor business and the | public. He was satisfied that there was need for one code of regulations for the whole of New Zealand. “I am convinced,” said Mr. Semple “that there is a crying need for tne examination of all cars and a provision that drivers should possess a certificate of physical fitness.” He added that a soon as the Bill was passed he intended to call a national conference of all those interested to plan a “safety first” campaign. He was satisfied that the Government would have to arrange for lessons in the schools by means of films, wireless and every other means J at its disposal. “There is a tremendous amount of reckless driving in New Zealand. I notice it every day myself. Drivers, in pulling out from kerbs and from narking places, do not put their band out or make any signal, and, there is also a lot of unnecessary passing of other cars on the road.. [ drive very often from ’Parliament Buildings to my home 1 in' Kilbirn,» a,ncl I notice' cars' gdfiigf 'through the traffic tunnel at 30‘ and 40 miles an hour when the regulation speed is only 20 miles. “The toll of ‘ili'e roact in this Dominion, on a population basis, is simply shocking. It is coming to a question of wholesale slaughter. Forty, seven fatalities in one month. It has to be stopped. I am satisfied that 90 per cent of these fatalities are prevent ible.”